Steering device



Feb. 5, 1929.4 A

A; a, cADMAN STEERING DEVICE Filed June 14. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 5, 1929.

. A. B. CADMAN STEERING DEvIcE Filed June 14. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet .Hdd-u ltima/n4 Q M @l Yso Patented Feb. v5, 1929.

UNITI-:D STATES PATENT l OFFICE.

ADDI BENJAMIN OADMAN, OE BELOIT, WISCONSIN, AssIGNOR To WARNER MEG. Jee.,Y

OF SOUTH BEEOIT, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OE MICHIGAN.

' STEERING DEVICE.

Application filed June 14, 1926. semaine. 115,768.

the vehicle7 whereby the force exerted to" swing the turntable about its axis will be applied with substantially uniform leverage.

Another object is to provide a steering device for trailer vehicles comprising an operating cable7 and having a new and improved means for maintaining the cable taut. l

Other objects and adantages will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a reversible trailer vehicle havlng a steering device embodying thev features ofl my invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional View taken alongline 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentaryl sectional View taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

vVhile I have shown in the drawings and will describe in detail the preferred embodiment in my'invention, it isV to be understoodthat I do not intend thereby to be limited to the particular form disclosed but aim to cover all modifications and alternative construc-v tions falling withinthe spirit and scope of theinvention as expressed in the'appended claims.

The steering device is intended primarily for four-wheeled (vehicles, and may be used l for steering either the front or rear wheels of such vehicles. In the present instance, the device is mounted on a platform frame 10 of a vehicle and is arranged to swing a turntable 11 supporting tne rear endof the frame about a vertical axis. The frame 10 comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending channels 13 rigidly connected by cross bars 14.

The turntable consists of four channels 15 reinforced by gusset plates 16 and supported in the usual way b rear wheels 17 through an axle 18 and sprmgs 19. Mounted on the turntable is a flat plate 2O which carries a kingpinl projecting through a central opening In a plate 22 on the under side of the frame 10 and providing for swiveling be- Y tween the vehicle frame and the turntable.`'-

in centered position by a removable bolt 4E25 f f Vextending through holes in lugs 26 and 27 formed respectivelyvon" the frame 10jand turntable 11.

Mounted below the center of the frame 10 on cross piecesf28 is a casing 29 in which are journaled a vertical shaft 30 and a horizontal shaft 31,w the latter extending transversely of the frame. The outer end of the shaft 31 is ]ournaledin a bearing 32 on the outermostfframe bar 13 and carriesa hand T.

crank 33 by means of which the shaft 31 may be rotated. Within the casingythe shaft 31 carries a worm gear 34 meshing with a Worm f wheel 35 fixed to the shaft 30.

Secured tothe lower end of the shaft 30 is s a flange drum 36 of relatively large diameter to which the medial portion of a flexible cable 37 is securely fastened by an eyebolt 38. The end portions of the cable extend in opposite directions half way around the drum (see Fig. 3) and then cross tothe opposite ends of a horizontally disposed angle bar 39 to which the ends of the cable are secured by eyebolts 40. The bar 39 is fastened to and extends along the front cross bar 15 of the turntable, and the ends ofthe bar 39 are positioned substantially the same distance from the king bolt axisasA the shaft 30. It will be observed that when the crank 33 is swung in one direction, a pull will be exerted by the cable on one end of the bar 4() which will swing the i turntable about the axis'of the king bolt.

During the swinging movement of the turntable in either direction, the length of the moment arm of the applied force, which is perpendicular to the cable then under tension, will not be changed materially. Thus a substantially uniform leverage will be maintained as the turntable yis moved out of and back into centered position to steer the rear wheels. f

the tufo 'portions of the cable cross. When the turntable is swung in one direction, the bracket Will be moved intoengagement with one end of the cable thereby bending the cable and holding it tightly against the surface of the drum. v

rEhe steering mechanism thus provided is simple and inexpensive in construction and reliable and powerful in its operation.

ll claim as my invention: n

l. A Vehicle cou'iprising, in combination, a traine, a turntable supporting one end of said trame, a shaft mounted at the center oit said frame, means 'for rotating said shaft, a bar Carried by said turntable and extending transversely of said frame, said shaft and the ends oit said bar being substantially equi- Adistant from the axis o'l' said turntable, a

member car ied by said shaft, and cables Connectin said member with tbe ends of said bar.

2. A vehicle comprising, in combination, a iframe, a turntable supporting one end ot said frame, a shaft mounted on said trame,

Home@ a drum Carried by said shaft, a cable encircling said drum and having the ends extendlng 1n opposite directions, said ends being connected to opposite sides of said turntable,

means for rotating said shaft to swing the turntable, and a bracket mounted on said turntable in position to bear against said cable in the swinging movement oi' said turntable.

3. A Vehicle Comprising, in combination, a frame, a turntable supporting one end of said frame, a shaft mounted on said trame, a drum carried by said shaft, a cable encircling said drum and having the ends extending in opposite directions, said ends being connected to opposite sides ot said turntable, means for rotating said shaft to swing the turntable, and means adapted to bear against the cable during the sii/'inging movement oit the turntable whereby to hold said cable taut.

fixed my signature.

ADDI BENJAMIN CADMAN. 

